SETTLE Cricket Club start the new season with a double header at home this weekend.

On Saturday, the Marshfield faithful will be treated to a Senior League first team match against Padiham, the team that beat Settle in the Ramsbottom Cup final last year.

On Sunday, the second team play host to Brinscall, newly promoted to Division One.

Tom Davidson has stepped down as first team captain after three years at the helm, making way for Tom Strickland, who has already skippered the side on occasion.

There is great anticipation for the arrival of the new pro, Ashen Silva.

The Sri Lankan left-hander has played for his nation’s Board XI and has 4,300 first-class runs at an average of just under 40.

His experience in the Ribblesdale League playing with Great Harwood will be invaluable to Settle both as a player and a coach.

Ashen's right-arm off-breaks will bring very useful variety to a team well stocked with pacemen.

Eddy Read is one such fast bowler, welcomed back to the colours after playing as a pro with East Lancs in the Lancashire League, as well as representing Morecambe and Cumbria.

Settle’s overseas amateur this year is 20-year-old Barbadian right-hand bat Danyl Husbands, who replaces two of his fellow countrymen.

He has performed very well in the Barbados Cricket Association First Division and also has a reputation as an economical left-arm spinner.

Settle seconds had a very solid league season in 2018, finishing in mid-table, but their first-ever triumph in the Lawrenson Cup final was the highlight of the year.

Their skipper Ben Mitchell returns to lead a side stacked both with experienced and promising younger players and will look to the club’s new Third (Development) XI to provide resources as the season progresses.

PETER METCALFE

* Two West Craven clubs, Earby CC and Barnoldswick CC, also begin their Ribblesdale League seasons on Saturday.

Barnoldswick, who are captained by Jonathan Beech, open at home to Feniscowles, while their second team, are at home to Stacksteads on Sunday.

Earby CC, who are skippered by Luke Hipgrave, play their first game at Baxenden on Saturday.

Earby's professional this year is Sri Lankan all-rounder Ashen Bandara, 20, who has excelled with Sri Lanka's Under-19 national team.

The club's young overseas amateur is Girvacques De Jager of South Africa.

Earby's second team host Ribblesdale Wanderers at Applegarth on Saturday.